NOT FOUND: plant lady 1.jpgWhat an awesome response. Thanks to all of you we have some fun stuff to share. Last month I dealt with watering and insect issues and encouraged y’all to share secrets of the household and or gardening trade. I can only hope the excitement you came to me with is portrayed in this issue.

Before we get going sharing secrets I need to cover a few basics for August since it is about the hottest month (usually, that is).

August is the do or die make it or break it month here in the hot California valley. Watering needs should increase in length, not frequency. We all commonly wipe out crops or gardens with daily waterings. Remember, a lawn/garden needs only 1 inch of water per week for sustainment. However, during hotter month (as this one) 2 to 3 inches is required. Keep watering 2 to 3 times per week, just at longer intervals. We want to avoid frequent waterings and maintain deep root systems. Although the water need may double to 2 to 3 times per week, we need to avoid doubling our frequency. So with that said, at least 100 of y’all have come to me with tomatoes with brown rot on the bottom. Besides a calcium deficiency causing this, over watering is still the culprit. Remember tomatoes suck up so much water daily that excess water pools at the bottom of the fruit and causes the rot. Please refer to last month’s issue or go to the NSN website and get a refresher online.

NOT FOUND: plant lady 2.jpgSo now for the fun stuff. I will be omitting some of the names due to privacy and length issues, but here are some exciting and curiously weird secrets. The first one comes to us from my Auntie Jane, my mother’s big sister and best friend who is now my mommy here on earth.

1. To keep flies out of your garage: hang a Ziplock bag ½ full of water with 10 or so pennies in it. Thanks Momma.
2. How ‘bout Jiffy brand corn muffin mix to attract and wipe out an entire ant colony due to the fact ants cannot digest corn.
3. Calcium boost for mature veggies. Sprinkle a little powdered milk on the garden foliage . Thanks Grandma who turns 90 July 20th.
4. Spiders, wasps, etc warning, this one kind of goes for non-smokers. Take a spray bottle full of water. Peel off the paper of SMOKED cigarette butts and place in water. Leave outside with the lid on to steep 2 to 4 days, then shake. Nicotine is one of the strongest natural insecticides. Thank you Orkin man who services my store.
5. And for the non smokers – crushed chrysanthemum in water – boiled then cooled, produces an organic pyrethrin that “Billy the Exterminator” shared off the Discovery channel. Wow, this is fun.
6. To increase pollination and double your garden harvest, plant a couple of lavender plants throughout your garden. This will attract bees. After pollination is over, keep or simply relocate lavenders to another area.
7. To make the difference in “Your veggie garden” don’t forget my “turd tea” to give that boost (5 gallon water bucket with water and 4 to 6 cups manure.) Don’t stir for 2 to 3 days, then strain. This provides acid, calcium, and other valuable nutrients. Originally from Grandma, thank you.
8. To deter pets (animals) – Combine 1 chopped garlic bulb, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper steeped in 1 quart of water, then add 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and spray in the area. Dogs and cats hate it.
Thank you Fran Sorin.
9. Mites and their eggs – ½ cup buttermilk, 4 cups wheat flour and 5 gallons water. Mix well then strain. Spray onto diseased plants; this wipes the mites ,eggs and disease out. Thank you reader in North Highlands.
10. Mosquitos – 1 tablespoon olive oil into any body of water keeps them away. Thank you Garden Lady.
11. Gophers and moles – plant hot jalapeno plants near the area, up to four inches from their burrow. They will take off after feeding or even rubbing on the roots. Thanks farmers.

Well guys, that was fun. If any of y’all have an idea for a column, e-mail it in.

Thank you all for your input, and you’re most welcome for mine. God bless you all and may God continue to bless the Antelope Home Depot. And by the way, wherever you are rite now and whatever you have done or are doing, me and Jesus love you!

Always, your Plant Lady